On February 11th we hosted our in person program at the Samuel Adams Brewery! Our sold-out gathering welcomed 50 attendees for an evening of collaboration, conversation, and reflection around one of the hottest topics in project management today: Artificial Intelligence.
It was an energized evening of connection and discovery, designed not as a lecture, but as a facilitated learning experience hosted by Chapter President Chet Lang alongside Ashish Yejjala.
“The conversation wasn’t just about tools and technology — it was about transformation. As AI expands our capabilities, leadership becomes even more important. We explored how project managers can use this moment not just to increase efficiency, but to elevate the human dimension of their work.”
– Chet Lang, Chapter President
AI in Action
Attendees shared a wide range of tools currently supporting their work. Familiar names like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Gemini surfaced frequently. Project managers described using these tools to brainstorm ideas, unpack complex concepts, and even break down scientific papers or unfamiliar technical material.
Platforms such as Jira were highlighted for deadline tracking and strategic project planning, while notetaking tools like read.ai aided to capture meeting discussions. PMI Infinity was also mentioned, opening up discussion surrounding resources made specially for PMI members. AI is certainly embedded in the PM toolkit as a way to maximize efficiency.
But the conversation quickly moved beyond efficiency. Participants shared how AI is enabling deeper risk analysis, more thorough documentation, clearer communication, and faster synthesis of complex information. Tasks that once felt constrained by time are now being elevated in depth and quality. The question became less about whether to use AI — and more about how to use it intentionally.
Making Space for What Matters
It’s undeniable that AI has the potential to automate repetitive tasks and boost efficiency. But we posed a bigger question to the room: If AI gives you time back in your day, how would you use it?
Across nearly every table, one theme emerged: reinvesting in human connection.
Participants reflected on a powerful shift: if AI gives us time back, that time becomes a leadership asset. Rather than simply increasing output, attendees emphasized reinvesting that reclaimed time into higher-value human contributions — mentoring, stakeholder alignment, conflict navigation, strategic thinking, and cultivating psychological safety within teams.
Attendees emphasized using that reclaimed time to strengthen professional and personal relationships with colleagues, engage in meaningful conversations, and cultivate more cohesive teams. Other topics, such as conflict resolution and proactive stakeholder engagement were also high on the list of priorities.
Attendees emphasized using that reclaimed time to strengthen professional and personal relationships with colleagues, engage in meaningful conversations, and cultivate more cohesive teams. While AI is a useful tool for automating repetitive tasks, our participants agreed that human qualities remain at the center of meaningful and impactful project management.
Redefining Thought Leadership
As a professional learning and development community we are united by more than credentials or industry titles. What connects us is a mindset.
“At its core, PMI is a community of lifelong learners. Our shared commitment to continuous improvement and applying best practices in our work positions each of us as thought leaders — not because we publish articles or stand on stages, but because we bring what we learn back to our teams and elevate how work gets done.”
— Chet Lang, Chapter President
Thought leadership doesn’t require a platform or a spotlight. Often, it’s expressed in quieter but more impactful ways — introducing a new framework to your team, asking better questions in a planning session, encouraging experimentation, or creating space for broader perspectives in decision-making.
One attendee highlighted a beautiful example of this in practice. At their “Data Crunch Lunch” team members gathered with their lunches for a session to demonstrate how to use tools, shortcuts, or processes that improved their workflow. It doubled as both a learning opportunity and a social touchpoint, boosting efficiency while strengthening team culture.
Help Shape Future Programs
This Global Café format reflects PMI Mass Bay’s continued commitment to designing interactive, high-engagement learning experiences. While traditional presentations remain valuable, collaborative forums like this allow members to surface lived expertise, share real-world practices, and collectively shape the future of project leadership.
Are you interested in lending your experience and perspective to the effort? Our programs are special because they are designed by our members and inspired by the evolving real world needs in the project environment. Help shape our programming by joining our Learning Design Committee!
We’d like to extend a special shoutout to our event managers, Hikaru Yamaguchi and Ashish Yejjala, whose thoughtful planning made the evening possible!
Thank you to everyone who joined us and brought such incredible energy to the conversation. Events like this are what make our PMI Mass Bay community so special. Be sure to check out our upcoming events page — we look forward to seeing you at the next one!